Aims and Summary

Students will gain an introduction to using literature, research design, and methods for data collection and analysis. The module is intended to underpin final stage projects. This module provides part of the background needed to undertake, at final year degree level, research including quantitative and qualitative research methods. Successful students should be able to demonstrate that they understand the concepts and how they should be applied to the production of a project proposal and a project.

Intended Module Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the student should be able to:

1. Write an appropriate proposal for an undergraduate project, using appropriate literature and with a suitable research design.
2. Argue the choice of a range of research methods.
3. Utilise published research effectively and appropriately.

Indicative Content

Research Approach

Qualitative/ Quantitative analysis.
Strategies, field work, case studies, experimentation, sampling and surveys, observational analysis, brainstorming, focus groups.
Research design, writing aims and objectives.

Research Instruments

Methods of data collection Measurements, devising and refining questions.
Inferential/descriptive statistics: sampling techniques, devising and testing hypotheses, statistical testing.
Surveys, case work, interviews.

Information sources

Using information sources. Literature searches and reviews, referencing systems.

Teaching and Learning

Principles and theory will be taught by means of lecture sessions interspersed through the module. Tutorial sessions will be run to enable students to put theory into practice via literature and case studies.

Students will be expected to undertake reading in their own time.

Method of Assessment

Essential Reading

• Mark Saunders, Adrian Thornhill, Philip Lewis 2007. Research Methods for Business Students, fourth edition.

  Research Methods for Business Students, sixth edition.

Recommended Reading

• TEALI, M. et al (2002), Management Decision Making: Towards an Integrative Approach, Pearson Education
• LOCKYER, K. and J. GORDON (2005), Project Management and Project Network Techniques, 7th Edition, FT-Prentice-Hall
• SWIFT, L. and S. PIFF (2005), Quantitative Methods for Business, Management and Finance, 2nd Edition, Palgrave-Macmillan

• Nancy L. Leech,Karen C. Barrett,George A. Morgan (2014) SPSS for Intermediate Statistics:Use and Interpretation,5 edition, Routledge